“We need the support from the public at auction and for people to buy pieces to make the symposium work.

“It’s important to look after the sculptors and to make it worth their trip here,” said Mr Holley.

He said the symposium had the potential to grow further and he hoped to be able to organise another in two years time.

Mr Holley, who runs Ashburton’s Grace Gallery with his partner Grace Henry, is heading to Rarotonga soon to meet with others to look at the possibility of organising a sculpture symposium on the island in the future.